Viola Davis Calls 'The Woman King' Her 'Magnum Opus' Movie at TIFF World Premiere
Viola Davis stuns in a bright pink dress at the premiere of her new movie, The Woman King, during the 2022 Toronto Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday (September 9) in Toronto, Canada.
The 57-year-old actress joined her costars John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Makgotso M, Thuso Mbedu, Sivuyile Ngesi, Masali Baduza, Siyamthanda Makakane, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, as well as director Gina Prince-Bythewood at the red carpet event.
Just a few hours earlier, the cast were seen at a Twitter Q&A panel in support of the movie.
Ahead of the screening of the movie, Viola gave an impassioned speech about it, calling it her “magnum opus”.
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“You know what? I feel like my entire life, I’ve allowed myself to be defined by a culture, I’ve allowed myself to be defined by the naysayers. I’ve been dropped in a profession that’s defined by depravation. And so, a lot of times, you just allow other people to define you. At 57 years old, I’ve come to the realization that I can define myself,” Viola said, via Deadline.
She continued, “This film is for the risktakers. This film is for the people who maybe even are the naysayers — who never believed that a Black woman, especially dark-skinned women can lead a global box office. This film is for the Black women who are out there on the periphery, a conduit, a vehicle to shine a beautiful and glorious light. I’m really proud to be a part of that.”
“I always said this film is my magnum opus. But it’s my magnum opus because it’s everything I ever dreamed it could be. That we could be humanized. That we can be all those things. But it’s for my six-year old self that sort of left prostrate on the ground in Central Falls, Rhode Island — the little girl who was traumatized, the little girl who was called ugly, the little girl who wasn’t seen, who was left invisible. I see you Viola. I see every chocolate girl who is like you. I’m telling you to stop running. This is my gift to you.”
“And I believe when we open this gift tonight, it will be to all your enjoyment.”
The Woman King will be out in theaters nationwide on September 16.
FYI: Viola wore Greta Constantine. Sheila wore Erdem.
Check out the full gallery of pictures from the premiere of The Woman King at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival…
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